HRC62 - Iceland GC - A/HRC/62/L.21/Rev. 1: Women’s and girls’ full enjoyment of human rights in humanitarian situations

Human Rights Council – 62nd Session
General Comment on draft resolution L.21/Rev. 1 as orally revised
Promoting, protecting and respecting women’s and girls’ full enjoyment of human rights in humanitarian situations
Statement by Iceland
6 July 2026

President,

Iceland welcomes draft resolution L.21/Rev. 1 as orally revised and thanks the core-group’s for bringing this important resolution back to the agenda of the council, especially during ongoing strain on the humanitarian system.

The focus of the resolution on the various structural and intersecting forces that drive humanitarian needs, such as climate change, is appreciated, serving as an important reminder on how various crisis unfold and are maintained globally.

As highlighted in the draft, in a world where humanitarian needs are on the rise, with over 240 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, we continue to see the disproportionate impact on women and girls.

In this regard, humanitarian assistance must contribute to gender equality by effectively identifying and responding to the distinct and differential needs, capabilities and priorities of women and girls and in all their diversity.

Iceland sees this text, which matches the reality on the ground, as an important benchmark for ensuring that the rights of women and girls are considered as priority rather than an afterthought when it comes to humanitarian action.

Further, the resolutions’ emphasis on localisation constitutes an important element, underlining the need to further strengthen the role of women, youth and local responders and organisations in humanitarian assistance, as they are indispensable actors who enable effective humanitarian action and peace.

Iceland is pleased to join consensus on the resolution.

I thank you.